Apparatus for concealing a hair band

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is presented that is worn on the wrist or forearm that holds an elastic hair band out of sight. The apparatus is either a permanent loop-shape with affixed ends, a u-shape, or a u-shape with a fastening structure. The apparatus holds an elastic hair band internally with a tensioning structure that either slightly extends from the internal wall of the apparatus or is recessed into the internal wall, holding an elastic hair band against the apparatus body when the band is stretched around the structure in slight tension. Alternatively, the apparatus may hold the elastic hair band on one end of a u-shaped apparatus where it serves as a removable fastening mechanism of the two ends, but is not necessary to keep the apparatus on the wrist.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to jewelry and specifically to an apparatus worn on an individual's wrist or arm that conceals an elastic hair band or other article.

BACKGROUND

Dating back nearly seventy years, patents have existed that consist of the generic idea of carrying an item, such as pills, keys, suntan lotion, etc. in a wearable article of jewelry.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,433,275 is a watch with hidden compartment. It is a watch with a backing that when removed reveals hidden psychological messages and/or photographs. The watch backing is entirely or partially removable. The apparatus has a timepiece that is pivotal relative to a backing. The backing has a removable door on its underside that is removed for placement of the message into the backing. The user can then lift open the timepiece to reveal the message in the hidden compartment. Thus, the invention serves a personal purpose by having a closed compartment that holds a thin meaningful item rather than serving a functional purpose of holding a thicker article of utility.

Another patent that also only provides the function of holding a small personal item is U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,100: jewelry with hidden compartment. This item is described as a pendant, or locket, that consists of an article of jewelry with a closed compartment, an internal tube, for holding a small and personal item such as a photo, lock of hair, or charm out of sight.

Unlike the prior art described above, U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,298, chambered bracelet, serves more of a utility function by carrying more than a personal keepsake. The chambered bracelet conceals rolled up money or can serve as a cigarette ashtray. Similar to the previously discussed patents, it has a closed container (tubes) within the body of the jewelry where the article of jewelry has to be opened or the compartment has to be opened to remove the item.

Other, less pertinent patents and applications noted in the course of a prior art search are U.S. Pat. Nos. D335,023; 2,473,226; 3,019,635; 3,680,751; 4,768,688; 6,105,837; 6,941,607; 7,316,128; 7,996,922; 8,279,609; 20060126444; 20070080077; and 20050199659.

The disclosed art all uses the idea that holding an item in a wearable apparatus is convenient. There is no need for pockets or purses when you can carry an item in a wearable apparatus. However, most of the prior art comprises of jewelry with a closed compartment within a hollow cavity of the jewelry that holds an item that is a personal keepsake. None of the current inventions are designed in a way that accommodates holding an elastic hair band with a tensioning structure as claimed in this invention.

There are many known ways to pull back hair to keep it out of an individual's face, including bobby pins, headbands, barrettes, and elastic hair bands. The most traditional way to keep hair out of an individual's face is to put it up into a ponytail with a ponytail holder. In the recent past, ponytail holders consisted of an elastic hair band with material sewn around it, generally referred to as a scrunchie, which was wrapped around the ponytail as many times to stretch the band tight and hold the hair. However, the material sewn around the band was often bulky and tended to impede the utility of the elastic hair band by keeping it from making a tight wrap around the hair. Additionally, finding a place to store the scrunchie when not in use was difficult without a purse. Due to the clumsy fit of the scrunchie and its bulky appearance, individuals have replaced the scrunchie by using only the naked elastic hair band to hold their hair back in a ponytail. By using just the elastic hair band, the problem of a bulky ponytail holder was solved. Additionally, by just using the elastic hair band, individuals found a convenient way of carrying the ponytail holder by keeping it around their wrists when not in use. Thus, allowing them to be prepared with a ponytail holder on-hand for the times when their hair needed to be pulled back out of their faces without worrying about where to store the bulky scrunchie.

Unfortunately, the convenience of wearing an elastic hair band around the wrist created different problems. First, the plain elastic hair band—traditionally black, white or tan—became somewhat of a fashion faux pas. In some settings, especially in a formal setting, the band is an eyesore. Thus, the old problem of the scrunchie, of what to do with the ponytail holder when not in use, was revived. Second, the elastic hair band worn on the wrist can be so tight that it cuts into an individual's wrist often leaving a red welt.

In the last couple years, a few products have been created that attempt to resolve the issue of the eyesore of the elastic hair band on the wrist in two ways. The first way involves adding to or modifying the elastic hair band to make it more aesthetically pleasing when not in use in the hair, but when stored on the wrist. For example, there are elastic hair bands with plastic skulls, bows or other decoration attached by glue or a small metal loop that can be worn facing up on the wrist to detract from the plain elastic hair band. Additionally, there is a product that is made from a thicker, less rubber-band like, piece of elastic that comes in a variety of patterns and colors that is able to tighten around a ponytail, but also look like a more aesthetically pleasing wrist-band when not in use. However, while some of these products help to make the elastic hair band on the wrist less of an eyesore, none of them successfully conceal the elastic hair band or make it appear like anything but a ponytail holder. Additionally, the issue of the elastic hair band uncomfortably digging into an individual's wrist has not been resolved by decorating the elastic hair band.

The second way products attempt to resolve the eyesore problem, similar to the way this invention proposes, is to not change the elastic hair band, but to mask it. Only one product currently exists utilizing this solution that is made by the company Hairbanglez out of Connecticut. The hair bangle is a loosely fitting bracelet worn on an individual's forearm, often referred to as a “bangle.” The bracelet is a piece of material, mainly plastic or metal, with its ends affixed, forming a loop. The bracelet holds an elastic hair band around the exterior of the loop. The elastic hair band is held in tension, stretched beyond its resting shape to fit the loosely fitting loop. The elastic hair band is still visible on the exterior of the bracelet, but is not worn tight to the skin so helps to mask the elastic hair band. However, the product fails to conceal the band from sight, thereby not fully resolving the eyesore of the elastic hair band. Additionally, holding the elastic hair band in such a state of high tension creates a new problem: it causes the elastic hair band to lose its elasticity. A ponytail holder without elasticity becomes useless by being unable to tighten hair in a ponytail thereby negating the value of the convenience of being worn on the wrist.

The invention in this application holds an elastic hair band or other article around a tensioning structure or with a fastening mechanism that resolves the problem of the over-stretched elastic hair band by not holding the elastic hair band in high tension. The tensioning structure and fastening mechanism only hold an article in slight tension, enough to reduce its range of movement to zero, which also prevents the painful red welts from forming on an individual's wrist from wearing only the elastic hair band. Namely, this invention eliminates the problem of the eyesore of the elastic hair band by holding it out of view, but still on the wrist to maintain the convenience of having a ponytail holder nearby and ready for use. The apparatus is also largely marketable as it can be made from many different materials, in any color, and can include decorative additions such as a timepiece to allow the apparatus to be used be men with long hair. Additionally, the tensioning structure can function to hold other articles such as earphones, cords, strings, rubber bands or various other items for practical keeping.

SUMMARY

The present invention is an apparatus worn on the wrist or forearm that conceals an elastic hair band. The invention is used by stretching an elastic hair band wide enough to fit around an elliptical tensioning structure on the internal wall of said apparatus. There may also be a recession in the internal the wall to allow the tensioning structure to be flush with the internal wall. The apparatus is then placed on the wrist or forearm thereby concealing the elastic hair band between the internal wall of the body, the tensioning structure, and the wrist. The purpose of the invention is to resolve the fashion faux pas of wearing an elastic hair band on the wrist in a setting where it may be inappropriate and to prevent the elastic hair band from uncomfortably digging into an individual's wrist, while keeping the band conveniently located on the wrist for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 shows the profile view of the apparatus, with an ornamental bead (I), holding the elastic hair band (C) in the interior wall (G) of the apparatus body (A);

FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of the apparatus with the elastic hair band (C) held in the interior wall (G) of the body (A);

FIG. 3 demonstrate the cross-sectional view (FIG. 3.1) and interior view (FIG. 3.2) of the article containing a tensioning structure;

FIG. 4 shows the tensioning structure (B) recessed into the interior wall (G) of the apparatus body (A);

FIG. 5.1 presents the first step of the mechanism of the alternative design fastening system; and

FIG. 5.2 presents the second step of the mechanism of the alternative design fastening system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.

The invention involves a jewelry apparatus worn on the wrist or forearm that conceals an elastic hair band (C) on the interior wall (G) or underside of the apparatus, which is the side that faces the skin of the top of the wrist.

The apparatus can be made of plastic, metal, wood or any material typical for jewelry. The first model of the apparatus will be made from a plastic mold; thus, the apparatus body (A) will be plastic as will the tensioning structure (B). The apparatus can come in any pattern or colors. It may include a timepiece or ornamental beads or other decorative additions (I).

As shown in the profile view of the apparatus in FIG. 1, the elastic hair band (C) is concealed in the interior wall (G) of the apparatus body (A).

As demonstrated in the front view of the apparatus in FIG. 2, the tensioning structure (B) holds the elastic hair band (C) in place through tension that reduces the elastic hair band's degrees of freedom for movement to zero. Yet, the tensioning structure (B) restrains the elastic hair band (C) so as to hold it in place but does not over stretch it, thereby maintaining the elastic hair band's elasticity.

The tensioning structure (B), shown in a front view of the apparatus in FIG. 3.2, can be either elliptical, circular, or square shaped in order to fit underneath the roof of the apparatus and still be functional.

The elastic hair band (C) is hidden from view when the apparatus is worn because by being placed inside the radial cross section of the apparatus, the line of sight to the elastic hair band (C) is blocked as demonstrated in FIG. 3.1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus may also have a recessed area (H) in the internal wall of the body (G), allowing the tensioning structure (B) to be even with the internal wall (G) of the apparatus. If the apparatus body (A) contains the recessed area (H), the ends of the elastic hair band (C) will remain free as to allow easy removal from the internal wall (G).

With the recessed area (H), the elastic hair band (C) is hidden from view when installed on the tensioning structure (B) when the apparatus is not worn because the tensioning structure (B) is recessed at least the diameter of the elastic hair band into the interior wall (G) of the top of the apparatus as seen in FIG. 4.

The elastic hair band (C) is removed from the position of tension in the internal wall (G) of the apparatus the same way it is placed into the apparatus—by stretching the elastic hair band (C) wide enough to clear the tensioning structure (B).

Once the elastic hair band (C) is removed from the internal wall (G) of the apparatus, it can be used in the hair and the apparatus can be replaced on the forearm or wrist without any visual or functional change.

When the elastic hair band (C) is no longer needed for use in the hair, the individual will remove the apparatus, replace the elastic hair band (C) in the same manner it was removed, and replace the apparatus back on the forearm—again with no visual or functional change.

Finally, in the alternative design shown in FIG. 5, the elastic hair band (C) is kept out of sight on the underside of the wrist or forearm when worn.

The first step of the fastening mechanism, as shown in FIG. 5.1, occurs when the elastic hair band (C) is attached to the apparatus body by one end of the elastic hair band (C) looping over, and remaining hooked on, a peg, bead, button or clip (E) on one side of the apparatus. The other end of the elastic hair band then passes through a hole (D) at the other side of the apparatus.

The second step of the mechanism is demonstrated in FIG. 5.2, when the end of the elastic hair band that has passed through the hole (D), is then pulled back to wrap around a peg, bead, button or clip (E) at the end of the side of the apparatus without the hole (D). Once the elastic hair band (C) is removed, in the same manner it was attached, the apparatus keeps form on the wrist. The elastic hair band (C) is easily replaced when not in use.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. An apparatus for wearing on the body, namely on the wrist or arm, that holds a hair band internally or externally, out of view when worn, comprising: a body comprised of any material such as metal, leather, or wood wherein the body holds the hair band in or against its inner wall or at the underside of the wrist, and wherein the body is configured to substantially conceal the hair band from view during wear by a user, while permitting at least a portion of the hair band to remain accessible at the inner wall of the body or at the underside of the wrist.
 2. The apparatus in claim 1, the material of the apparatus comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are left open to form a hollow u-shape.
 3. The apparatus in claim 2, wherein the first end and the second end are connected to form a continuous hollow loop.
 4. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the body further comprises a tensioning structure for holding the hair band in tension when placed around it.
 5. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising a recessed area for holding the hair band when pressed into the cavity with a tensioning structure holding it in place with the ends free for easy removal.
 6. The apparatus in claim 2, wherein the first end has a small hole, large enough to fit a half-folded hair band, and wherein the second end has an object protruding up from the body of the apparatus for holding one or both ends of the hair band.
 7. A wearable article for concealing a hair band, comprising: a body configured for selective positioning around an arm or wrist of a user, the body having an inner wall and a recessed portion extending radially inwardly relative to the inner wall of the body, the recessed portion configured to receive the hair band, the inner wall having a tensioning structure for holding the hair band in tension when operatively positioned within the recessed portion and around the tensioning structure, wherein the body is configured to substantially conceal the hair band from view during wear by the user, while permitting at least a portion of the hair band to remain accessible at the inner wall of the body.
 8. A wearable article for concealing a hair band, comprising: a body configured for selective positioning around an arm or wrist of a user, the body having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end cooperate to form a substantially U-shaped body, the first end having an opening configured to receive at least a half-folded hair band, the second end having a protrusion extending outwardly from the body for holding at least a portion of the hair band, wherein the body is configured to substantially conceal the hair band from view during wear by the user, while permitting at least a portion of the hair band to remain accessible at the underside of the wrist or arm. 